I belong to a homebrewing club in northern Colorado; Liquid Poets Society. On saturday August 12th, myself and 5 cohorts climbed Mt. Bierstadt and brewed an all-grain batch of beer. Needless to say we were the most unusual group on the summit for the 4 hours it took us to complete our brew. We left no trace; everything was packed out, even the 7 pounds of wet grain left over from the mash. I am aware of a group from a club called the 'tribe' who brewed on the summit of Elbert. Since the highest peak honors were taken, we chose the most appropriate; Mt Bierstadt - beer city auf deutsche. I promised several people a post on this page and an update once the beer is ready!

WOW! Way to combine life's two great pleasures! Let us know how it turns out...I'd love to try it...

"On the edge of the porch in the warm evening nightThrowing the bone for the dog I see two passing lightsWell, I wonder where that driver's boundIs there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found"-Driving Song

First off, Congrats. Second, You guys must be nuts. I am also a homebrewer. What size batch did you make? What style? I cannot even begin to imagine hauling the equipment and ingredients up there. You must be animals. Though now I know that it is entirely possible to really combine my two hobbies. Thanks a lot. (said with a hint of sarcasm)

Will the tapping party occur on the summit as well? You could make a mint selling freshly poured pints on the summit of Bierstadt. For those who had no cash, you could probably barter enough gear for an expedition.

Greetings Fellow High Altitude Brewer,I am a member of the, now defunct, Tribe homebrew club. On August 30, 1997 eight members of the Tribe homebrew club summitted Mt. Elbert and brewed a partial grain, barleywine. The brew was named Hypoxia, in name of the condition of high altitude sickness. The American Homebrewers Association declared it the highest altitude brew of the Western Hemisphere (apparently someone had brewed at the base camp of Everest). Nearly one year later a group of Homebrewers in California brewed on the top of Mt. Whitney which is higher than Elbert (by about 50ft). We were going to meet these brewers in Death Valley for the lowest brewing record but it never materialized.

I love your choice of mountain. Very cool. How did your idea materialize (no doubt homebrew was involved)?

Curt Schroeder

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air. John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848)